PHOTO: Protests in Onitsha over ‘transfer’ of Boko Haram prisoners to Anambra State

Over 20000 traders in the commercial city of Onitsha yesterday put business aside for a while to protest what they said posed a threat to their lives and means of livelihood.

The traders took to the streets to kick over alleged plan to transfer detained Boko Haram suspects to prisons in Anambra State.

All commercial outlets, including the......
Onitsha main market, Ekwulobia, Eke Awka and Nnewi markets were shut and commercial and social activities grounded.

The police said the traders’ action was baseless.

The protesters blocked Uga Junction, the major road connecting the state capital Awka and Onitsha, chanting war songs

They also carried placards some of which read: ‘We need Biafra, we don’t want Boko Haram’; ‘We are going to declare another war if this decision is not rescinded’.

Security operatives were quickly deployed in all the major streets in the state to maintain law and order.

The President General of the Amalgamated Traders Association (AMATAS) in the state, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, told reporters in Onitsha that it was wrong of the federal government to bring Boko Haram suspects to Anambra State.

He said detaining Boko Haram anywhere in the state would constitute a threat to the traders’ businesses.

He said they stood to lose as much as N5billion in the event of any Boko Haram crisis in the state.

He asked Governor Willie Obiano to seek the assurance of President Muhammadu Buhari that no Boko Haram prisoner would be brought to the state.

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